Improved abdominal corset



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MRS. CYRENE SMITH, OF LOUISVILLE, KEl.\I'IUCKY.

IM PROVED ABDOIi/IINAl CORSET.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent No. 89,513, dated April 27, 1869.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known t-hat I, Mrs. CYRENE SMITH, of the city of Louisville, county of Jeerson, and State of Kentucky, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in the Art of Making or Constructing Abdominal Corsets, entitled Mrs. Cyrene Smiths Abdominal Corset, for the purpose of, and especially adapted to, the treatment of the various diseases incident to the'displacement of the uterus and a relaxed state of -the abdominal parts, or any other disease requiring the use of a corset or supporter; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and letters of reference marked thereon.

The nature lof my improvement consists in so shaping the corset .as to make it conform perfectly to the shape of the body of the patient without the use of the buckle orlacings at the sides and back, which buckle or lacings tend to injure the patient; but as a substitute therefor I insert in the sides and back narrow bands of gum-elastic, which are so arranged as to expand or. contract as lthe body 1s made to occuy different positions without producing any disagreeable sensation; and

in order to keep the corset in perfect shape or distendechl insert small pieces of whalebone in the front and back at an angle with the body, corresponding with the increase of size of the body as they run upward, but do not pass entirely through, but only that part most liable to fold in wearing, except in front, where it is necessary to support the lacings, said lacings, in front, constituting part of my improvement, they being much more convenient and less liable to injure the patient than those laced or buckled at the sides or back.

The above corset is intended to be used almost exclusively as a corset, and not as an abdominal supporter adapted exclusively to the treatment of rupture or any specific disease of a similar nature; but when necessary it can be converted into a T-bandage by addition of a perineal band.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation, which are as follows, to wit:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the front of the corset. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the back of the same.

A is the inside of the back.

B is the gusset or pointed piece, cut full, so as to admit of the expansion of the gum bands.

D is the gum bands or springs in the side of Fig. l.

` C is a gusset, cut full and set in behind the springs D, in order to admit of their expansion, and also to prevent the bands or springs D from chating the body of the wearer.

E is the front of the corset, showing one side thereof.

F is the slip or casings, in which small pieces of whalebone are inserted at an angle with the body, for the purpose of preventing the corset from folding, but do not pass entirely through, but only sufficient to keep it in shape.

Gr G are slips,in which pieces of whalebone are inserted sufficient in size only to keep the ends distended, and in order to support the eyelets L, through which the lacing-cord H passes, and by which it is laced up or adjust.- ed to the proper' size.

I is a plain piece made of the same material as that of the corset, and padded, if necessary, to keep it from injuring the body by long use.

.I is the gum bands or springs in the back, in order to make it elastic, so as to adjust itself to the back of the patient when in any position.

K are the slips, in which small pieces of whalebone are inserted sufficient only to keep it from folding or Wrinkling.

The above corset is made of marseilles or any other material suitable for the ordinary corset, and is used in the same manner as the ordinary abdomen-supporter, except that it laces in front instead of the back; thereforey What I claimas my improvement or invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

The corset-body A, with side gussets, C C, and elastic strips D D, back gusset, B, and elastic strips J J, and short whalebones F K, all being constructed an'd used substantially as and for the purposes specified.

- MES. CYRENE SMITH.

Witnesses:

K. P. THUXTON, DANE. TALBOTT. 

